Measles: US Outbreak Grows; Toddler Dies in Germany

The measles outbreak in the United States continues to grow. Thirteen new cases were confirmed in the last week, bringing the total number of U.S. cases to 154 across 17 states and the District of Columbia.

A measles outbreak in Germany claimed its first victim this week with the death of an 18-month-old toddler at a hospital in Berlin. German officials said more than 570 measles cases have been recorded in Berlin since October. At least two of those cases have been linked to the U.S. outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are three separate measles outbreaks in the U.S. Several cases are not linked to any of those three outbreaks and more adults than usual have been infected, the CDC said.

Although highly contagious, measles is rarely fatal in developed countries, but the virus claims about 10 percent of its child victims in developing nations.

According to the CDC, one infected person can spread the virus to as many as 18 other people. Those infected by measles often exhibit flu-like symptoms. Measles is more contagious than smallpox, influenza and polio, and, like Ebola, it has a 21-day incubation period.

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